Open Internet

The Internet is too important to creators to allow Internet Service Providers (ISPs) like Comcast, Verizon and AT&T to pick winners and losers online. Artists of all backgrounds rely on the Internet to reach audiences, build businesses and exercise their rights to free speech. Without basic rules of the road preventing ISPs from favoring content from big money cronies over everyday creators and Internet users, artists and fans will lose.read more

Today, House Republicans approved legislation that would prevent the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) from implementing its Open Internet Order—rules set to go into effect this Friday, June 11. The worst part about this Congressional malarkey is that it is tucked into an appropriations bill that includes a whole bunch of other stuff that has nothing to do with net neutrality. read more

On September 17, 2014, Future of Music Coalition submitted written testimony to the Senate Judiciary Committee in its hearing, “Why Net Neutrality Matters: Protecting Consumers and Competition Through Meaningful Open Internet Rules.”

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Future of Music Coalition (FMC) is pleased to submit the following written testimony for the record in this important hearing on preserving an open Internet. FMC is a nonprofit organization founded in 2000 by musicians, composers, independent label owners, technologists and artist advocates. Our goal is a diverse musical culture where artists flourish, are compensated fairly for their work, and where fans can find the music they want. read more

The US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is taking lots of flak for its net neutrality proposals, with critics arguing against its proposals to allow ISPs to charge digital media companies for smooth access to their customers. Now more musicians are engaging with the debate, in an open letter to FCC chairman Tom Wheeler signed by OK Go, Michael Stipe, Eddie Vedder, Roger Waters, Jello Biafra, Neko Case, Fugazi, David Lowery, Aerosmith’s Joe Perry, the Black Crowes’ Rich Robinson and other artists. “The open Internet’s impact on the creative community cannot be overstated. The Internet has enabled artists to connect directly with each other and with audiences. It has eliminated the barriers of geography and taken collaborations to new levels.

Abby Martin talks about the Army’s review of Chelsea Manning’s request for gender reassignment surgery and her potential transfer from a military to civilian prison, where there are much more threats to her safety. Cody Snell reports on the demonstrations at the FCC over the recent ruling that erodes Net Neutrality. Casey Rae, director of Future of Music Coalition talks about what a post-neutral internet would look like to independent artists and musicians. We revisit the case of Ibragim Todashev, an associate of the Tsarnaev brothers, and the fact that the identity of the FBI agent who executed Todashev has finally been revealed - a sociopathic ex-Oakland police officer with a tarnished history of unlawful beatings and arrests.

The Federal Communications Commission on Thursday took the first step in a net neutrality plan that could make it harder to access Netflix, Facebook and YouTube, or guarantee your access to those websites under certain circumstances.